STONE HARBOR, NJ--The Harbor Hustle 5K was held on July 1,
2018 in this upscale South Jersey seashore resort.

For me, this day was special--my 80th birthday. The good
news is that I am now in a new age group. The not-so-good news
is that this race did not have an 80+ category. As a result,
I had to be content with a second place medal in the 70+ age
group. But, it helps to believe that five-year age groups up
to 100+ are recorded in the big book in the sky.

Unlike Florida, where I live during the colder months, only
a few races in the North have the 80+ awards. The usual explanation
of race organizers is that there are not enough over-80 runners
to justify the category. To them I say that that if they have
it, the older runners might come. Moreover, the incremental
cost of the additional awards is insignificant compared to the
additional entry fees.

The race was run on asphalt roads through the resort, and
was entirely flat. Most of the 420 finishers will remember this
race for the heat. Although the weather service reported temps
in the low 80s and humidity at 50%, the summer sun on the blacktop
road surfaces made it seem much hotter.

Peter Borger, age 18 of Malvern, PA was first overall in 16:03.
The first female was Elizabeth McDonald, 24, of Bryn Mawr, PA
in 19:48.

Editor's Note: Happy Birthday Herb! You are an inspiration
to younger runners.